Vacuum Cleaner with Ultraviolet Light Source and Ozone

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner (A) including a nozzle base (C) having a main suction opening ( 26 ) and a housing (B) pivotally mounted on the nozzle base (C). An airstream suction source (E) is mounted to one of the housing (B) and the nozzle base (C) for selectively establishing and maintaining a suction airstream flowing from the nozzle main suction opening ( 26 ) to an exhaust outlet of the suction source. A filter housing ( 132, 230, 350, 508, 606, 700, 800, 906 ) is mounted to one of the nozzle base (C) and the housing (B). The filter housing comprises a filter ( 150, 270, 272, 704, 804 ) mounted in the filter housing. An ultraviolet light source ( 160, 280, 706, 806 ) is disposed in the filter housing and shines on the filter for disinfecting same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to vacuum cleaners which condition the exhaustair they emit.

Both canister and upright vacuum cleaners are well known in the art.Generally, a filter bag is used to filter the dirt and hold the dirt soas to exhaust relatively clean air back into the environment. Aftermultiple uses of the vacuum cleaner, the filter bag must be replaced.

To avoid the need for vacuum filter bags, and the associated expense andinconvenience of replacing the filter bag, a newer type of vacuumcleaner utilizes cyclonic air flow, a dust cup and one or more filters,rather than a replaceable filter bag, to separate the dirt and otherparticulates from the suction air stream. Such filters need infrequentreplacement.

Bagless vacuum cleaners typically collect the separated dirt in a dustcup or dirt-collecting receptacle while discharging the cleaned airthrough a grill assembly. However, the cleaned air being discharged maystill contain noxious materials and odor, thereby causing them toexhaust along with the cleaned air into the room. In addition, thedirt-collecting receptacle provides a suitable place for variousbacteria and viruses to live and breed. Such bacteria and viruses can bereleased to the room when the dirt collected in the dirt collectingreceptacle is emptied, thereby further polluting the room.

In order to solve the above described problems, it would be desirable toprovide a vacuum cleaner with a means for reducing, if not eliminating,bacteria, viruses and the like. One such means is an ultraviolet (UV)light source which emits radiation powerful enough to destroy bacteriaand viruses. Another such means is ozone, which can be created fromambient oxygen by, for example, the UV light source.

Ozone is a gas whose molecules are composed of three bonded oxygenatoms. Ozone is a highly reactive substance, which is used to treatdrinking water and swimming pool water, treat industrial waste, and tobleach inorganic products such as clay. Ozone is the second mostpowerful oxidant after fluorine. It is also a powerful disinfectantwhich can destroy airborne bacterial and viral contaminants, and whichcan oxidize chemical contaminants.

It would be desirable to improve conventional vacuum cleaner designs byproviding a means for eradicating bacteria, viruses and fungi in theairflow of a vacuum cleaner. It would also be desirable to simplifyassembly, improve filtering and improve the disinfection of the dirtheld in a dirt-collecting receptacle while maintaining the environmentoutside of the vacuum cleaner clean of bacteria, noxious materials andodor.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and improved vacuumcleaner including a UV light source which overcomes difficulties withthe prior art while providing better and more advantageous overallresults.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a filter housing assemblyfor a vacuum cleaner is provided.

More particularly, in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention, the filter housing assembly includes a suction airstreaminlet and a suction airstream outlet. The assembly comprises a housingmember mounted to the vacuum cleaner. A first filter is mounted in thehousing member and an ultraviolet light source is located in the housingmember for disinfecting an interior of the filter housing. An electricalsocket provides a power source to the ultraviolet light source.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a vacuumcleaner includes a nozzle base having a main suction opening and ahousing pivotally mounted on the nozzle base. An airstream suctionsource is mounted to one of the housing and the nozzle base forselectively establishing and maintaining a suction airstream flowingfrom the nozzle main suction opening to an exhaust outlet of the suctionsource. A filter housing assembly is mounted to one of the nozzle baseand the housing. The filter housing assembly comprises a filter mountedin the filter housing assembly. An ultraviolet light source is disposedin the filter housing assembly and shines on the filter for disinfectingsame.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, avacuum cleaner includes a housing in fluid communication with a mainsuction opening. An airstream suction source is mounted to the housingfor selectively establishing and maintaining a suction airstream flowingfrom the main suction opening to an exhaust outlet of the suctionsource. A filter housing assembly is mounted to the housing comprises afirst filter and a second filter. An ultraviolet light shines on thefirst and second filters for disinfecting same.

In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, avacuum cleaner comprises a dirt cup and first and second cyclonicairflow chambers located in the dirt cup. The second cyclonic flowchamber is positioned adjacent to and parallel to the first cyclonicflow chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are orientedgenerally vertically. A filter housing assembly is disposed downstreamfrom the first and second cyclonic flow chambers and accommodates atleast one filter for filtering dirt from the airstream. An ultravioletlight source is secured to at least one of the dirt cup and the filterhousing assembly.

Still other aspects of the invention will become apparent from a readingand understanding of the detailed description of the several embodimentshereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may take physical form in certain parts andarrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will be described indetail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings which form a part of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a cyclonic air flowvacuum cleaner including a dirt cup and a filter housing assembly inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view in cross section, and partiallybroken away, of the cyclonic air flow vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view in cross section, and partially brokenaway, of the cyclonic air flow vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the filterhousing assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a filter housing assembly for avacuum cleaner in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the filter housing assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the filter housing assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the filter housing assembly takengenerally along the lines of A-A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the filter housing assembly takengenerally along lines of B-B of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a dirt cup portion of a vacuumcleaner illustrating a means for cleaning an airstream in accordancewith a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged front perspective view of a portion of a cyclonicair flow vacuum cleaner in accordance with a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a simplified schematic of a means for eradicating bacteria,viruses and fungi in the airflow of a vacuum cleaner in accordance witha fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a simplified schematic of a means for eradicating bacteria,viruses and fungi in the airflow of a vacuum cleaner in accordance witha sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a right side elevational view in cross section, and partiallybroken away, of a means for cleaning an airstream in accordance with aseventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view in cross section, and partiallybroken away, of a means for cleaning an airstream in accordance with aneighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a simplified schematic of a means for eradicating bacteria,viruses and fungi in the airflow of a vacuum cleaner in accordance witha ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a simplified schematic of a means for eradicating bacteria,viruses and fungi in the airflow of a vacuum cleaner in accordance witha tenth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingsherein are merely illustrative and that various modifications andchanges can be made in the structures disclosed without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention. Like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views.

While the present disclosure of a means for cleaning an airstream isillustrated as being suitably secured to an upright vacuum cleanerhaving a cyclonic air flow design, it should be appreciated that theinvention can be adapted for a wide variety of other vacuum cleaners aswell, such as canister type, non-cyclone and bagged-type vacuumcleaners.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the drawings illustrate severalembodiments of the present invention only and are not intended to limitsame, FIG. 1 shows an upright vacuum cleaner A including an uprighthousing section B and a nozzle base section C. The sections B and C arepivotally or hingedly connected through the use of trunnions or anothersuitable hinge assembly D so that the upright housing section B pivotsbetween a generally vertical storage position (as shown) and an inclineduse position. Both the upright and nozzle sections B and C can be madefrom conventional materials, such as molded plastics and the like. Theupright section B includes a handle 20 extending upward therefrom, bywhich an operator of the vacuum cleaner A is able to grasp and maneuverthe vacuum cleaner.

During vacuuming operations, the nozzle base C travels across a floor,carpet, or other subjacent surface being cleaned. With reference now toFIGS. 2 and 3, an underside 24 of the nozzle base includes a mainsuction opening 26 formed therein, which can extend substantially acrossthe width of the nozzle at the front end thereof. As is known, the mainsuction opening 26 is in fluid communication with the vacuum uprightbody section B through a passage and a connector hose assembly, such asat 30. A rotating brush assembly 32 is positioned in the region of thenozzle main suction opening 26 for contacting and scrubbing the surfacebeing vacuumed to loosen embedded dirt and dust. A plurality of wheels36 and 38 supports the nozzle on the surface being cleaned andfacilitate its movement thereacross.

The upright vacuum cleaner A includes a vacuum or suction source forgenerating the required suction airflow for cleaning operations. Asuitable suction source, such as an electric motor and fan assembly E,generates a suction force in a suction inlet and an exhaust force in anexhaust outlet. The motor assembly airflow exhaust outlet is in fluidcommunication with an exhaust grill (not visible). If desired, a finalfilter assembly can be provided for filtering the exhaust airstream ofany contaminants which may have been picked up in the motor assemblyimmediately prior to its discharge into the atmosphere. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the motor assembly suction inlet, on the other hand, isin fluid communication with a dust and dirt separating region F of thevacuum cleaner A to generate a suction force therein.

The dust and dirt separating region F housed in the upright section Bincludes a dirt cup or container 50 which is releasably connected to theupper housing B of the vacuum cleaner. Cyclonic action in the dust anddirt separating region F removes a substantial portion of the entraineddust and dirt from the suction airstream and causes the dust and dirt tobe deposited in the dirt container 50. The suction airstream enters anair manifold 52 of the dirt container through a suction airstream inletsection 54 which is formed in the air manifold. The suction airstreaminlet 54 is in fluid communication with a suction airstream hose orconduit 56 through a fitting 58 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The dirtcontainer 50 can be mounted to the vacuum cleaner upright section B viaconventional means.

In many respects, the dirt container 50 and the air manifold 52 are likethe dirt containers and air manifolds shown and described in commonlyowned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/082,501, expresslyincorporated herein by reference. To the extent possible, other featuresdiscussed in reference to one or more of the embodiments of theabove-referenced '501 application can also be optionally included on thedirt container 50 and the air manifold 52.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dirt container 50 includes first and secondgenerally cylindrical sections 60 and 62. Each cylindrical sectionsincludes a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the firstcylindrical section is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the secondcylindrical section. The first and second cylindrical sections define afirst cyclonic airflow chamber 66 and a second cyclonic airflow chamber68, respectively. The first and second airflow chambers are eachapproximately vertically oriented and are arranged in a generallyparallel relationship.

The first and second cyclonic airflow chambers include respective firstand second cyclone assemblies 72 and 74. The first and second cycloneassemblies act simultaneously to remove coarse dust from the respectiveairstream flowing therethrough. Each cyclone assembly includes aseparator cone 80 and a perforated tube 82 disposed within the separatorcone. The separator cones have a larger diameter end located adjacent atop portion of the dirt container 50 and a smaller diameter end spacedfrom the top portion. A flange 88 extends radially from the smallerdiameter end. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the flange is dimensionedto effectively seal off a space 90, which is defined by an inner surface92 of each cylindrical section 60, 62 and an outer periphery of theseparator cone 80, from the dirt entrained airstream entering into thefirst and second cyclonic airflow chambers 66, 68.

Each perforated tube 82 extends longitudinally in its respectivecyclonic airflow chamber 66 and 68. Each perforated tube 82 includes aplurality of small holes 94 disposed in a side wall of the tube forremoving threads and fibers from the airstream. The diameter of theholes 94 and the number of those holes within the perforated tube 82directly affect the filtration process occurring within each cyclonicairflow chambers 66, 68. Also, additional holes result in a larger totalopening area and thus the airflow rate through each hole is reduced.Thus, there is a smaller pressure drop and lighter dust and dirtparticles will not be as likely to block the holes.

Each perforated tube further includes an upper end 96 in fluidcommunication with the inlet section 54 of the air manifold 52 and aclosed lower end 98. The closed lower end of each tube 82 includes anoutwardly flared section 100 for retarding an upward flow of dust thathas fallen below the lower end 98. A flange or skirt 102 extendslongitudinally from the flared section 100 which also blocks rising dustfrom reentering the separator cone, thereby further improving thefiltering of the dust entrained airstream.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, extending from the closedlower end 98 of each tube 80 is a laminar flow member 110. Each laminarflow member generally includes at least one pair of blades (not visible)which can have various conformations, such as a cross shape, arectangular shape, a triangular shape and an elliptical shape whenviewed from its side. In addition, the blades can be oriented at anglesother than normal to each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air manifold 52 is disposed at atop portion of the dirt container 50. The air manifold directs dirty airto each of the first and second cyclonic flow chambers 66, 68 anddirects a flow of cleaned air from each of the first and second cyclonicflow chambers to the electric motor and fan assembly of the vacuumcleaner A. The air manifold 52 includes the inlet section 54 throughwhich dirty air passes and an outlet section 116. The inlet section,which is in fluid communication with the nozzle main suction opening,directs a flow of the dirty airstream into the first and second airflowchambers 66, 68. The airflow into the airflow chambers is tangentialwhich causes a vortex-type, cyclonic or swirling flow. Such vortex flowis directed downwardly in the airflow chamber since the top end thereofis blocked by the flange 88 of the separator cone 80.

As the dirt entrained air enters the airflow chambers 66, 68, the airand the dirt cyclonically rotate along an inner wall of the separatorcone 80. The dirt and debris is removed from the air flow and collectsat a bottom portion of the chambers. However, relatively light fine dustis less subject to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, the fine dust maybe contained in the airflow circulating near the bottom portion of theairflow chambers 66, 68. Since the laminar flow member 110 extends intothe bottom portion of the airflow chambers, the circulating airflow hitsthe blade of the laminar flow member, thereby forming a laminar flow.Thus, the cyclonic flow of the airstream is stopped by the laminar flowmember 110. The fine dust in the airflow drops out of the airstream andfalls by gravity in each of the airflow chambers 66, 68. The fine dustis collected at a bottom portion of the chambers.

The cleaned and now laminar axial flow of air then makes a 90° turn andbecomes a radial flow, as mandated by the presence of the skirt 102.This change in air flow direction will cause even, more dirt to fall outof the airflow. Then, the air flows again axially up the flange until itis again allowed to flow radially inwardly once it clears the outwardlyflared section 100 at the lower end of each tube. The cleaned air isthen discharged out through the holes 94 of the perforated tube 82 andthe outlet section 116. The outlet section collects a flow of cleanedair from both of the airflow chambers and merges the flow of cleaned airinto the single cleaned air outlet passage 120.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the outlet passage 120 has alongitudinal axis which is oriented approximately parallel to thelongitudinal axes of the first and second cyclonic chambers 66, 68. Aninlet end 122 of the outlet passage 120 is secured to a lower portion ofthe air manifold 52. An outlet end 124 of the outlet passage 120 extendsthrough an opening located in a bottom wall 126 of the dirt container 50and a corresponding suction airstream inlet 130 (FIG. 4) located in afilter housing assembly 132.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filter housing assembly 132, which in thepresent embodiment is located downstream of the dirt container 50,includes a housing member 134 suitably secured to one of the uprighthousing section B and a nozzle base section C by conventional means.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the housing member 134 comprises a cover136 releasably secured to a base 138 by conventional fasteners. Thecover can include mounting means for mounting the dirt container to thefilter housing assembly 132. The base has an outwardly extending flange146 which includes a portion of the suction airstream inlet 130 which isin fluid communication with the nozzle main suction opening 26.

The suction airstream inlet 130 directs the airstream flowing from theoutlet end 124 of the outlet passage 120 to a filter 150 housed in thefilter housing assembly 132. The filter 150 is in fluid communicationwith the outlet end 124 of the outlet passage 120 and retains any dustescaping from the dirt container. The filter 150 can comprise a pleatedfilter material and can be an electrostatic or High-EfficiencyParticulate Arresting (HEPA) grade filter, which is capable of trappingvery small dust particles. The filter is in fluid communication with asuction airstream outlet (not visible) located on a bottom surface ofthe base 138. The outlet is in fluid communication with the inlet of theelectric motor and fan assembly E.

The filter housing assembly 132 further includes an ultraviolet light(UV) source 160 for disinfecting the airstream inside the filterhousing. In the present embodiment, the UV light source generates amagnetic or electric field capable of emitting radiation powerful enoughto destroy bacteria and viruses.

UV light represents the frequency of light between 200 nanometers (nm)and 400 nm and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Within the UV spectrumlie three distinct bands of light: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. Longwave UVlight (approximately 315 nm to approximately 400 nm), or UV-A, refers towhat is commonly called black light. UV-B (approximately 280 nm toapproximately 315 nm), or midrange UV, generally causes sunburn.Germicidal UV light (approximately 200 nm to approximately 280 nm), orUV-C, is effective in microbial control. In the present embodiment, theUV light source 160 can be a germicidal UV-C light source thatpreferably emits radiation having wavelength of approximately 254 nm.This wavelength has been proven effective in diminishing or destroyingbacteria, common germs, yeasts, mold and viruses to which the UV lightsource is exposed. However, the germicidal UV light source 160 is notlimited to UV light sources having wavelength of 254 nm. It should beappreciated that other UV light sources with germicidal properties couldalso be used.

The UV light source can be mounted in the housing member 134 byconventional means and is preferably disposed above the filter 150 sothat the UV light source can shine on the filter. It has been proventhat the residence time of bacteria, fungi and/or viruses trapped in oron the filter is great enough that exposure to the UV light source willeither destroy the micro-organism or neutralize its ability toreproduce. It will be appreciated that the UV light source 160 canremain on after the electric motor and fan assembly E or the vacuumcleaner is turned off. This will extend the exposure time for themicro-organisms that were deposited onto the filter 150 to the UV lightsource. After a set time, the UV light source will then be automaticallyturned off. To ensure that the UV light source 160 works effectively,the cover 136 can be removed from the base 138 so that regularmaintenance checks can be performed to remove any dust build up on theUV light source.

An electrical socket 162 is mounted on an end of the UV light source 160for providing a power source from the vacuum cleaner to the UV lightsource. To this end, the cover 136 can include an opening for anelectrical connector which provides the power source to the electricalsocket 162. For example, the power source can be the same power sourcethat powers the electric motor and fan assembly E. Typically, the UVlight source 160 has a low current and draws under twenty-four watts.However, based on the close proximity of the UV light source to thefilter 150, the intensity of the UV light source can be equivalent to asixty watt light bulb.

It should be appreciated that portions of the vacuum cleaner irradiatedby the germicidal UV light source, such as the dirt container and thefilter housing assembly, can be made of a UV resistant material. Onesuitable such material can be UV resistant plastic material, such asNORYL®, which is manufactured by General Electric Plastics GlobalProducts, and is certified for use with ultraviolet light.

In addition to disinfecting the airstream inside the filter housing 202,the UV light source 160 can create ozone (O³) from ambient oxygen (O²).Ultraviolet wavelengths shorter than 200 nm (typically 185 nm) arecapable of producing ozone from oxygen in the air. Ozone is a gas whosemolecules are composed of three bonded oxygen atoms. It is also apowerful disinfectant which can destroy any remaining airborne bacterialand viral contaminants. The ozone can also oxidize chemicalcontaminants. One of ozone's advantages is that it can be carried by airinto places that the UV radiation cannot reach directly. To avoidrelease of ozone into the environment, the airstream can be filteredthrough carbon or other adsorbent medium in the housing member 134 orpassed through a metallic mesh or grid, such as zinc (to form zincoxide), covering the suction airstream outlet located on the bottomsurface of the base 138. Importantly, the by-products of ozonedegradation have biological contaminant destroying ability, as well.Alternatively, the ozone laden airstream can be passed through a finalfilter assembly having an adsorbent medium immediately prior to itsdischarge into the atmosphere.

It should be appreciated that the amount of ozone emitted can becontrolled by filtering the UV light source 160 thus keeping the levelof ozone below the regulated environmental limits. A closed loop controlsystem (not shown) can be implemented to monitor the amount of ozone inambient air and can turn off the UV light source 160 if the amount ofozone is close the regulated environmental limits. As the level of ozonedecreases, the closed loop control system can turn back on the UV lightsource 160. It should also be appreciated that the filter housingassembly 132 can include a separate conventional ozonizer for producingozone in the housing member 134.

Similar to the aforementioned embodiment, a second embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 5-9.

With reference now to FIGS. 5-7, a filter housing assembly 230 for avacuum cleaner which can be a canister or an upright vacuum cleaner isthere shown. The housing assembly can be located downstream of a dirtcontainer and includes a suction airstream inlet 232 and a housingmember 234. The suction airstream inlet 232 is in fluid communicationwith a nozzle main suction opening. The housing member 234 is suitablysecured to a housing (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner.

The housing member 234 comprises a cover 236 releasably secured to abase 238. To secure the cover to the base, the cover includes at leastone tab 242 having an opening 244, the tab extending outwardly from anedge 246 of the cover. The base 238 includes at least one correspondingprotrusion 248 having an opening 250. In this embodiment, three suchtabs 242 and protrusions 248 are provided. The cover is positioned onthe base such that the openings of the tabs are aligned with theopenings of the protrusions. Conventional fasteners, such as a bolt anda nut, can then be used to secure the cover 236 to the base 238.

The cover 236 further includes a raised shelf 256 having a pair ofapertures 258. The apertures can allow the filter housing assembly 230to be mounted to a bottom wall of a dirt container. Extending from abottom surface of the shelf to the edges 246 of the cover 236 is aplurality of reinforcing members or gussets 260, 262. This providesadditional stability against vertical deflecting forces and maintainsthe generally perpendicular relationship between the shelf 256 and thedirt container.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the filter housing assembly 230 housesa pair of filters 270 and 272 arranged in series to maximize the amountof dust captured by the filter housing assembly 230. The first filter270 is in fluid communication with suction airstream inlet 232. Thefirst filter can include an open cell flexible foam material having alarge dust retaining capacity. The first filter can also be impregnatedwith particles of carbon, preferably in the form of activated charcoalwhich has a large surface area for absorbing odors. The second filter272 is disposed downstream of the first filter. The second filter 272retains any dust which escapes from the first filter 270 and cancomprise a pleated filter material. In one embodiment, the second filter272 can be an electrostatic or HEPA grade filter, which is capable oftrapping very small dust particles. The second filter is in fluidcommunication with a suction airstream outlet 274 located on a bottomsurface of the base 238. The outlet 274, which can be covered by agrill, is in fluid communication with the inlet of an electric motor andfan assembly (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner.

Each filter 270, 272 is suitably secured to the housing member 234 byconventional means. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first and secondfilters 270 and 272, respectively, each can have an outer perimeterapproximately the same size as an inner perimeter of the housing member234. This ensures that the airstream flowing through the housing memberis filtered by each filter.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the filter housing assembly230 further includes a germicidal ultraviolet light (UV) source 280located in the housing member 234 for disinfecting the airstream insidethe filter housing. As shown in FIG. 9, the UV light source 280 can bemounted in the housing member 234 by conventional means. The UV lightsource extends generally normal from a side wall 282 of the base 238 andis disposed between the first filter 270 and the second filter 272 sothat the UV light source can shine on both filters to disinfect thefilters. An electrical socket 284 is mounted on an outer surface of theside wall 282 for providing a power source from the vacuum cleaner tothe UV light source 280. Again, it should be appreciated that the powersource that powers the electric motor and fan assembly can also powerthe UV light source.

Similar to the first embodiment, in addition to disinfecting theairstream inside the filter housing, the UV light source 280 can createozone from ambient oxygen. Alternatively, the filter housing assembly230 can include a separate conventional ozonizer for producing ozone inthe housing member 234.

Similar to the aforementioned embodiment, a third embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 10.

In many respects, dirt container 300 is similar to the dirt container 50described above. The dirt container 300, which can be mounted to avacuum cleaner upright section via conventional means, includes firstand second generally cylindrical sections 302 and 304. Each cylindricalsections includes a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of thefirst cylindrical section is spaced from the longitudinal axis of thesecond cylindrical section. The first and second cylindrical sectionsdefine a first cyclonic airflow chamber 308 and a second cyclonicairflow chamber 310, respectively. The first and second airflow chambersare each approximately vertically oriented and are arranged in a generalparallel relationship.

The first and second cyclonic airflow chambers include respective firstand second cyclone assemblies 314 and 316. The first and second cycloneassemblies act simultaneously to remove coarse dust from the airstream.Each cyclone assembly includes a separator cone 320 and a perforatedtube (not visible) disposed within the separator cone. The separatorcones have a larger diameter end located adjacent a top portion of thedirt container 300 and a smaller diameter end spaced from the topportion. A flange 324 extends radially from the smaller diameter end.The flange is dimensioned to effectively seal off a portion of eachcylindrical section 302, 304 from the dirt entrained airstream enteringinto the first and second cyclonic airflow chambers 308, 310,respectively.

Each perforated tube extends longitudinally in its respective cyclonicairflow chamber 308 and 310. Each perforated tube includes a pluralityof small holes disposed in a side wall of the tube for removing threadsand fibers from the airstream. Each perforated tube further includes anupper end in fluid communication with an inlet section (not visible) ofan air manifold 330 and a closed lower end. The closed lower end of eachtube includes an outwardly flared section 334 for retarding an upwardflow of dust that has fallen below the lower end of the perforated tube.

The air manifold 330, which is similar to the air manifold 52 describedabove, is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container 300. The airmanifold directs dirty air to each of the first and second cyclonic flowchambers 308, 310 and directs a flow of cleaned air from each of thefirst and second cyclonic flow chambers to an electric motor and fanassembly of the vacuum cleaner. The air manifold 330 includes the inletsection through which dirty air passes and an outlet section 338. Theoutlet section collects a flow of cleaned air from both of the airflowchambers and merges the flow of cleaned air into the single cleaned airoutlet passage 340.

The outlet passage 340 has a longitudinal axis which is orientedapproximately parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first and secondcyclonic airflow chambers 308, 310. An inlet end of the outlet passage340 is secured to a lower portion of the air manifold 330. An outlet endof the outlet passage 340 extends through an opening located in a bottomwall 342 of the dirt container 300 and a corresponding inlet 348 locatedin a filter housing assembly 350. It should be appreciated that thefilter housing assembly 350 can be a filter housing assembly similar tothe filter housing assembly 132 and filter housing assembly 230described above.

The dirt container 300 further includes a germicidal ultraviolet (UV)light source 352 mounted between the first cyclonic flow chamber 308 andthe second cyclonic flow chamber 310. More particularly, the flanges 324include a recess (not visible) which define an opening between theairflow chambers dimensioned to receive the UV light source. As the UVlight source 352 is being positioned in the opening, an electricalsocket 354 attached to an end of the UV light source for providing apower source to the UV light source will abut a top surface of theflanges 324. Thus, once secured, the UV light source is orientedapproximately parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first and secondcyclonic airflow chambers 308, 310.

In operation, as the dirt entrained air enters the airflow chambers 308,310, the air and the dirt cyclonically rotate along an inner wall of theseparator cone 320. The dirt and debris is removed from the air flow andcollects at a bottom portion of the chambers. The UV light source 352shines on the bottom portion of the chambers to destroy any bacteriaand/or viruses trapped in the removed dirt and debris. In addition todisinfecting the airstream inside the airflow chambers 308, 310, the UVlight source 352 can act as an ozonizer by producing abundant amounts ofozone from ambient oxygen in the airflow chambers to destroy anyremaining airborne bacterial and viral contaminants contained in theairflow chambers. The cleaned air is then discharged out through theholes of the perforated tube and the outlet section 338 of the airmanifold 330 and into the single cleaned air outlet passage 340.

Similar to the aforementioned embodiments, a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 11. Again, in many respects, a dirtcontainer 400 (shown schematically) and an air manifold 402 disposed ata top portion of the dirt container are similar to those describedabove.

The dirt container 400, which can be mounted to a vacuum cleaner (notshown) via conventional means, includes first and second generallycylindrical sections 404 and 406. The first and second cylindricalsections define a first cyclonic airflow chamber 410 and a secondcyclonic airflow chamber 412, respectively. The first and second airflowchambers can be each approximately vertically oriented and can bearranged in a general parallel relationship.

The first and second cyclonic airflow chambers include respective firstand second cyclone assemblies 416 and 418 which act simultaneously toremove coarse dust from the airstream. Each cyclone assembly includes aseparator cone 420 and a perforated tube (not visible) disposed withinthe separator cone. A closed lower end of each tube includes anoutwardly flared section 424 for retarding an upward flow of dust thathas fallen below the lower end of the perforated tube.

The separator cones have a larger diameter end located adjacent a topportion of the dirt container 400 and a smaller diameter end spaced fromthe top portion. A flange 428 extends radially from the smaller diameterend. The flange is dimensioned to effectively seal off a portion of eachcylindrical section 404, 406 from the dirt entrained airstream enteringinto the first and second cyclonic airflow chambers 410, 412,respectively.

Each flange 428 includes at least one aperture 430 for securing at leastone germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light source 432. In this embodiment,each flange includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures forsecuring two UV light sources. Similar to the previous embodiments, theUV light sources 432 disinfect the airstream inside the airflow chambers410, 412. The UV light sources can also act as ozonizers by producingozone from ambient oxygen in the airflow chambers to destroy airbornebacterial and viral contaminants contained in the airflow chambers. Eachflange further includes at least one indicator 440, such as a lightemitting diode, disposed in both of the first and second airflowchambers 410, 412 for indicating a power status of the UV light sources432. In this embodiment, four indicators are mounted in four spacedapart openings 442 located on each flange 428. Each UV light source 432and indicator 440 can be powered by a conventional power source, such asthe power source that powers an electric motor and fan assembly.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a means for eradicating bacteria,viruses and fungi in the airflow of a vacuum cleaner in accordance witha fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12, a separate conventional ozonizer 500 for producingozone is located downstream of a suction nozzle 502 and upstream of adirt cup 504. The dirt cup can be similar to the dirt containersdescribed above. Ozonizers of the general type under consideration areshown and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,484,472;5,667,564; 5,814,135; 5,911,957; 6,042,637; and 6,565,805. Thedisclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. Asshown therein, these conventional ozonizers generally generate ozone bypassing an oxygen-containing gas between two electrodes, separated by adielectric material. The oxygen is converted to ozone as it travelsthrough the electrical corona.

The ozonizer 500 directs ozone into a suction flow path 506 which is influid communication with an inlet of the dirt cup 504. The ozone iscirculated with the dirt entrained airstream entering into the dirt cupfrom the suction nozzle 502 of the vacuum cleaner. As such, the ozonewill effectively kill bacteria, viruses and fungi contained in theairstream. Ozone will also kill many of the bugs trapped in the removeddirt and debris contained in the dirt cup 504. The cleaned air flows outof the dirt cup and is directed to a filter housing assembly 508.

Similar to the previous embodiments, the filter housing assembly 508 canhouse at least one filter to retain any dust escaping from the dirt cup504. The at least one filter can comprise a pleated filter material andcan be an electrostatic or HEPA grade filter. The filter housingassembly 508 can include a germicidal UV source for further disinfectingthe airstream inside the filter housing assembly. An outlet of thefilter housing assembly 508 is in fluid communication with an inlet ofan electric motor and fan assembly 510.

The ozonizer 500 and the UV light source can be powered by aconventional power source, such as a battery or the power source thatpowers the electric motor and fan assembly 510.

A sixth embodiment of a means for eradicating bacteria, viruses andfungi in the airflow of a vacuum cleaner is schematically illustrated inFIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 13, dirt entrained air enters a dirt cup 600 from asuction nozzle 602 of the vacuum cleaner via a suction flow path 604,the dirt cup again can be similar to the dirt containers describedabove. The dirt cup separates dirt and debris from the airstream andcirculates the cleaned air to a filter housing assembly 606. Similar tothe previous embodiments, the filter housing assembly 606 can house atleast one filter to retain any dust escaping from the dirt cup 600. Thefilter housing assembly 606 includes a germicidal UV source (not shown)which disinfects the airstream inside the filter housing assembly. Inaddition to disinfecting the airstream inside the filter housingassembly, and as set forth above, the UV light source creates ozone fromambient oxygen. The ozone will eliminate any bacteria, fungi and/orviruses remaining in the airstream or trapped in or on the filter. Thefilter housing assembly 606 is in fluid communication with an air path608 which directs a portion of the sanitized air to an inlet of anelectric motor and fan assembly 610. The filter housing assembly alsoredirects a portion of the airstream back to the dirt cup 604 through aseparate air path 612. The redirected airstream contains sufficientamounts of ozone which can kill many of the bugs trapped in the removeddirt and debris contained in the dirt cup. Generally, ozone has ahalf-life of only about twenty-two minutes at ambient temperature. Thus,the ozone molecules will eventually turn into common oxygen molecules.

A seventh embodiment of a means for cleaning an airstream, specificallyfor redirecting airstream containing ozone from a filter housingassembly 700 to a dirt cup 702, is illustrated in FIG. 14. The filterhousing assembly 700 and the dirt cup 702 are similar to the dirtcontainer 50 and the filter housing assembly 132 described above.Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the structure of the dirtcup and filter housing will be provided.

The dirt cup 702 separates dirt and debris from the airstream andcirculates the cleaned air to the filter housing assembly. The filterhousing assembly 700 can house at least one filter 704 to retain anydust escaping from the dirt cup and includes an isolated germicidal UVsource 706 which shines on a surface of the filter for disinfecting thefilter and the airstream flowing through the filter housing assembly. Inaddition to disinfecting the airstream, and as set forth above, the UVlight source creates ozone from ambient oxygen. As shown in FIG. 14, theozone created in the filter housing assembly can be redirected back tothe dirt cup 702 through a separate conduit or hose 708.

The hose includes a first end 714 in fluid communication with an uppersection 718 of the filter housing assembly which contains the UV source706. A second end 720 of the hose 708 is in fluid communication with acyclonic airflow chamber 722 partially defined in the dirt cup 702. Eachhose end 714 and 720 includes a valve 726 and 728, respectively. In thisembodiment, the valves are check valves; although, it should beappreciated that other valves can be used with departing from the scopeof the present invention. Mounted to the second hose end 720 and locatedwithin the cyclonic airflow chamber 722 is a cup 730 including an inletsection 732 having a first diameter and an outlet section 734 having asecond, smaller, diameter. This cup arrangement increases the velocityof the airstream through the cup which creates a higher speed lowerpressure area in the dust cup 702 to create a venturi effect. Theventuri effect also creates an increased vacuum in the cup 730 whichopens each check valve 726, 728 in the hose 708. Because the uppersection 718 of the filter housing assembly 700 is isolated from the mainair flow from the dirt cup 702, the increased vacuum in the cup suctionsambient air from the upper section 718 to the cyclonic airflow chamber722 of the dirt cup 702. This redirected ambient air contains sufficientamounts of ozone which can kill many of the bugs trapped in the removeddirt and debris contained in the dirt cup. It should also be appreciatedthat the hose 708 can include a conventional disconnect (not shown) sothat the dirt cup can be easily removed from the vacuum cleaner withoutinterference from the hose.

Similar to the seventh embodiment, an eighth embodiment of a means forredirecting airstream containing ozone from a filter housing assembly800 to a dirt cup 802 is illustrated in FIG. 15.

The dirt cup 802 separates dirt and debris from the airstream andcirculates the cleaned air to the filter housing assembly 800 which caninclude at least one filter 804 to retain any dust escaping from thedirt cup and a germicidal UV source 806. The UV source disinfects thefilter and the airstream flowing through the filter housing assembly andcan create ozone from ambient oxygen. As shown in FIG. 15, the ozonecreated in the filter housing assembly can be redirected back to thedirt cup 802 through a separate conduit or hose 808.

The hose includes a first end 814 in fluid communication with a lowersection 818 of the filter housing assembly which contains the at leastone filter 804. A second end 820 of the hose is in fluid communicationwith a cyclonic airflow chamber 822 partially defined in the dirt cup802. Mounted to the second hose end 820 and located within the cyclonicairflow chamber 822 is a cup 830 having features similar to that of cup730. Air flowing through the cup has an increased velocity compared tothe air flowing through the cyclonic airflow chamber 822. As such, aventuri effect is created which increases vacuum in the cup 830. This,in turn, opens a valve 834 in the second hose end 820 and a valve (notshown) in the first hose end 814. This increased vacuum suctions aportion of the airstream flowing through the at least one filter 804from the dirt cup back to the cyclonic airflow chamber 822. Thisredirected airstream contains sufficient amounts of ozone which can killmany of the bugs trapped in the removed dirt and debris contained in thedirt cup. Again, it should also be appreciated that the hose 808 caninclude a conventional disconnect (not shown) so that the dirt cup canbe easily removed from the vacuum cleaner without interference from thehose.

A ninth embodiment and a tenth embodiment of a means for eradicatingbacteria, viruses and fungi in the airflow of a vacuum cleaner areschematically illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively.

In each embodiment, dirt entrained air enters a dirt cup 900 from asuction nozzle 902 of the vacuum cleaner via a suction flow path 904,the dirt cup again can be similar to the dirt containers describedabove. The dirt cup separates dirt and debris from the airstream andcirculates the cleaned air to a filter housing assembly 906. Similar tothe previous embodiments, the filter housing assembly 906 can house atleast one filter to retain any dust escaping from the dirt cup 900. Thefilter housing assembly 906 includes a germicidal UV source (not shown)which disinfects the airstream inside the filter housing assembly. Inaddition to disinfecting the airstream inside the filter housingassembly, and as set forth above, the UV light source creates ozone fromambient oxygen. The ozone can eliminate any bacteria, fungi and/orviruses remaining in the airstream or trapped in or on the filter. Thefilter housing assembly redirects a portion of the airstream back to thedirt cup 904 through a separate air path 910. The redirected airstreamcontains sufficient amounts of ozone which can kill many of the bugstrapped in the removed dirt and debris contained in the dirt cup.

In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the filter housing assembly 906 is also influid communication with an air path 912 which directs a portion of thesanitized air to an inlet of an electric motor and fan assembly 916.Generally, ozone has a half-life of only about twenty-two minutes atambient temperature. Thus, the ozone molecules entrained in this portionof sanitized air will eventually turn into common oxygen molecules.However, ozone emission into ambient can be subject to governmentalregulations. Therefore, the motor and fan assembly 916 is in fluidcommunication with an air path 918 which directs the air through acarbon or activated carbon filter 920 (also known as charcoal oractivated charcoal) prior to its discharge into the atmosphere. Theactivated carbon filter prevents release of ozone into the environmentby converting the ozone into oxygen.

In the embodiment of FIG. 17, an activated carbon filter 1002 is locatedupstream of an electric motor and fan assembly 1004. Particularly, thefilter housing assembly 906 is in fluid communication with an air path1010 which directs a portion of the sanitized air to the activatedcarbon filter 1020. The activated carbon filter is in fluidcommunication with an air path 1022 which directs the air to the motorand fan assembly 1004.

The disclosure has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the disclosure be construed asincluding all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A filter housing assembly for a vacuum cleaner including a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet, said filter housing assembly comprising: a housing member mounted to the vacuum cleaner; a first filter mounted in said housing member; an ultraviolet light source located in said housing member for disinfecting an interior of said filter housing; and an electrical circuit for providing a power source to said ultraviolet light source.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first filter is in fluid communication with said suction airstream inlet and further including a second filter disposed downstream of said first filter, said second filter being in fluid communication with said suction airstream outlet.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said first filter includes an open cell flexible foam material.
 4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said second filter includes one of a pleated filter material, an electrostatic filter and a High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) filter material.
 5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said ultraviolet light source is disposed between said first filter and said second filter.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrical circuit includes an electrical socket is mounted on an outer surface of said housing member.
 8. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising an ozonizer for disinfecting air inside said housing member.
 9. A vacuum cleaner including: a nozzle base including a main suction opening; a housing pivotally mounted on said nozzle base; an airstream suction source mounted to one of said housing and said nozzle base for selectively establishing and maintaining a suction airstream flowing from said nozzle main suction opening to an exhaust outlet of said suction source; and a filter housing assembly mounted to one of said nozzle base and said housing, said filter housing assembly comprising: a filter mounted in said filter housing assembly; and an ultraviolet light source disposed in said filter housing assembly and shining on said filter for disinfecting same.
 10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein said filter housing assembly further includes an electrical socket for providing a power source to said ultraviolet light source.
 11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein said filter housing assembly further includes a cover releasably secured to a base, said cover including a suction airstream inlet in fluid communication with said nozzle main suction opening, said base including a suction airstream outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of said suction source.
 12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9 further including a dirt cup selectively mounted to said housing, said dirt cup being located upstream of said filter housing assembly.
 13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 further including a cyclonic airflow chamber.
 14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13 further including an ozone source for disinfecting the air inside said cyclonic airflow chamber.
 15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9 further including an indicator for indicating a power status of said ultraviolet light source.
 16. A vacuum cleaner including: a housing in fluid communication with a main suction opening; an airstream suction source mounted to said housing for selectively establishing and maintaining a suction airstream flowing from said main suction opening to an exhaust outlet of said suction source; and a filter housing assembly mounted to said housing, said filter housing assembly comprising: a first filter, a second filter, and an ultraviolet light source shining on said first and second filters for disinfecting same.
 17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16 wherein said filter housing assembly further includes an electrical circuit for providing a power source to said ultraviolet light source.
 18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16 wherein said filter housing assembly further includes a base and a cover releasably secured to the base, said cover including a suction airstream inlet in fluid communication with said main suction opening, said base including a suction airstream outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of said airstream suction source.
 19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16 further including a dirt cup selectively mounted to said housing, said dirt cup being located upstream of said filter housing assembly.
 20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 19 wherein said dirt cup includes a cyclonic airflow chamber.
 21. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a dirt cup; a cyclonic flow chamber located upstream from said dirt cup; a filter housing assembly disposed downstream from said cyclonic flow chamber for accommodating at least one filter for filtering dirt from the airstream; and an ultraviolet light source secured to at least one of said dirt cup and said filter housing assembly.
 22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21 wherein said ultraviolet light source is mounted to said cyclonic flow chamber, said ultraviolet light source shining on dirt accumulated in said dirt cup for disinfecting same.
 23. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21 wherein said ultraviolet light source is disposed inside said filter housing assembly.
 24. (canceled)
 25. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21 further comprising an ozonizer communicating with at least one of said dirt cup and said filter housing assembly.
 26. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21 wherein said ultraviolet light source generates a concentration of ozone.
 27. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21 wherein said filter housing assembly is in fluid communication with said dirt cup for disinfecting dirt accumulated in said dirt cup.
 28. The vacuum cleaner of claim 27 further comprising an air path for communicating said filter housing assembly with said dirt cup to redirect a portion of the airstream from said filter housing assembly to said dirt cup whereby the redirected airstream contains sufficient amounts of ozone generated from said ultraviolet light source for sanitizing the dirt in said dirt cup.
 29. The vacuum cleaner of claim 20 further comprising an air conduit having a first end section in communication with said filter housing assembly and a second end section in communication with said cyclonic airflow chamber, said first end section of said air conduit being configured to created a suction for redirecting a portion of the airstream from said filter housing assembly to said cyclonic airflow chamber whereby the redirected airstream contains sufficient amounts of ozone generated from said ultraviolet light source for sanitizing dirt accumulated in said dirt cup. 